The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1887-07-14

P"inscdAiuS ana industrious was he
! that I. T. r soon found he could en-
pioy the new hand in directing envel-
opes, and the prompt feet in doing
much travel that he once thought could
be performed BY none but his own.
And Stumpy in all cases proved the
''squar' man" he boasted himself: one
confidence followed the other until, the
boy was intrusted, from time to time,
with matters of value that caused
Thomas T. R. to afterward wonder at
his own recklessness. But Stumpy was
''squar'"
1t was during the strike Of the street
railroad men in New York City, not
very many months ago. that Stumpy
and his ''squarness'' were forced to
undergo the hardest kind of test.
Without discussing the merits or
causes OF the strike or the labor aues-
ton. one thing is certain-in this, as in
all popular uprisings, there were many
lawless characters among and about the
crowd OF excited strikers-men who
neither labored or cared for labor, but
were keen for plunder, violence, or any
advantage to themselves.
On Third avenue was the battle
ground of the strikers and the railway
corporation. These were anxious times
to all employers. Those Of Thomas T.
K were busy as usual, or even more
busy than usual, in their respective de-
partments in and out Of the factory.
leaving to my friend the entire control
of the books and Office.
1t was about the close Of bank hours
on certain day, money was wanted to
pay some of the hands who had been
employed upon piece work. Thomas
T. r. remembered this later than he
should have done. He sent for one Of
the firm or a suitable representative to
relieve him while he went to draw the
money; none could be found. He was
in a dilemma. xxsS sszs
Then he remembered Stumpy. He
had trusted the boy before-why not
again? Stumpy was within hail and
was hailed-a check was given him,
with money for car fare. and he was
ordered to 60 to the bank and return
with the money as quickly as possible
Stumpy reached the bank, drew the
money, came out from the institution,
grasping good-sized bag containing
notes and silver in his hand, and looked
for the ears. There were none in sight.
He started to the nearest station on the
L. road. As he crossed the first side
street a roar reached his ears, o mob
that was rushing, turning into the ave-
nue.. overwhelmed him; he fell, and the
"chink" of the silver in the bag as it
struck the pavement attracted the at
tention of several of the outlaws who
were in the throng; one reached for the
prize, but Stumpy thrust it under his
rough and strong jacket, and contrived
to button it there, and laid down upon
his face and kicked and yelled, and,
/ have not the least doubt, swore like
seven Malay pirates on q spree. He
was jerked up and thrown down and
kicked and beat and mauled most un-
mercifully, that boy was; and bruised
and battered and pounded, and almost
torn limb from limb, but still he kept
that tough coat OF his buttoned about
the treasure that had been entrusted to
him, and he so wriggled and squirmed
and gained an inch here and there that
by the time the police in force charged
upon and drove the rioters, Stumpy,
after being trampled upon by both par
ties, managed to crawl into an open
doorway.
Thomas T. r. had looked at his watch
a dozen times, he had wondered what
in the world" could be keeping that
boy, and he was most anxiously watch
ing from the office window for the re-
appearance of his messenger, when q
lad, whose face and hands did not
speak of extravaganza in use of SOAP
and water, and whose garments would
have been better for application oi
needles and thread, rushed breathlessly
up the steps and into the door.
"Say, mister! Yer feller, yer boy
Stumpy, yer knows; well he's a-layin'
down yer in hallway, low Ef'-seven
street, an de strikers and de cops
It'gedder has busted him wide open. an
Iwere don ter see de muss, an he
SEN me fur you, an yer better hurry
fur blamed ef don't b'lief he's agoir
| fur ter die" and the youngster rubbed
his dirty knuckles into his eyes.
| Thomas T. r. closed the office and
put the key in his pocket, regardless o.
consequences He went with the dirty
messenger, faster than his feet ever car
| ried him before. He found StuQnpy il
| sad condition indeed, curled up be
hind door in a hallway, sitting hi
groans SO as not to attract attention
the disturbed condition OF the stree
having saved him from the notice of th'
police.
my poor boy said my friend. ''ar'
| you very badly hurtp''
"I'm hurted purity bad, mister, /" sait
Stumpy. ..but dar," and smile brok'
/ ~ n a.l-